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Spooky! You sound like me right down to the name and age. So my questions: 1. How will the LAP-BAND® help me lose weight? It is built in portion control but you still have to lose the weight. The lapband doesn't control what you eat, just how much. 2. What kind of diet needs to be kept after the LAP-BAND® is installed? Nothing special. You just eat a balanced meal. The portions will just be smaller. Just don't drink you calories and keep snacking to a minimum. 3. If I/We/anyone can’t maintain a diet regiment before the LAP-BAND®, how can we expect that it would be any different after the LAP-BAND®? That's a chance you'll have to take. You have to ask yourself how serious you are about losing the weight. Don't make the mistake like many here and think that surgery is a panacea. 4. Are there medications or supplements that need to be taken after the LAP-BAND® is installed? NO, NADA, NICHTS! 5. If insurance covers the procedure (I am investigating that with my insurance right now), and there is a problem with the device such as a leaky port, who covers the expense of fixing it? It all depends on the insurance company; your coverage; your deductible; etc... 6. Are there other manufacturing defect problems that can occur with the LAP-BAND®, and if so who absorbs the cost of repair? There are issues but I can't say who pays. 7. I am noticing the number one side effect of the LAP-BAND® is nausea and vomiting. Is that a temporary problem or an ongoing problem? You're noticing wrong!! Most of us never get nauseous and 90% of the time the vomiting is our own fault for not paying attention or eating too fast. 8. Is there any restriction on drinking alcohol when you have a LAP-BAND®? Hell NO!! Although, American beers are full of carbonation and that doesn't work so well with the band. I don't have any issues with Guinness. Keep reading and don't hurry into anything. The lapband is not going anywhere. It will still be available if/when you decide you are ready.

Support is not always touchy-feely; support is tough, open, and honest. Support comes in all shapes and sizes. All of this means that you will not always hear what you want to hear, but the people saying it are doing so because they care. Whether family, friends, coworkers, etc., support comes in all flavors. That said, support is only as good as the person receiving that support. What am I getting at? Sadly, too many people project their own inferiority complexes on those very people trying to help them. In truth, it is you who needs to learn how to deal with the support you seek. How you respond or solicit that support says a lot about you. It is your reaction that is important when mentally processing the support options provided to you. Members of my family are the kings and queens of this type of destructive behavior (among others). Someone doesn't say something that is in blanket agreement? Someone suggests that they work harder, longer, smarter? Someone says that they will have to cut back (on salt, fat, calories, alcohol, smoking, etc.), lose weight, or exercise more? Someone disagrees with their uneducated pontification on Jeopardy answers? All hell breaks loose, let me tell ya. My family, some people on these boards, people at school, work, etc.... we all know these people. The "what the hell does s/he know, anyway?" crowd. The people who, know matter how much they claim to be open to new ideas and viewpoints, shut down as soon as someone suggests that accountability and responsibility lie within the supportee. To all of these dysfunctionals: Get over yourself, people! You don't have all the answers, no one does. If you solicit support (and yes, posting on these boards is included), be prepared to hear something you may not like. The point is to process what is being said, research it and, if appropriate, take steps to better your life because of it. Everyone makes mistakes, everyone falls down. Learn from it; learn from the people with whom you interact; learn from others' experiences - good and bad. Speak your mind, sure, but if it's just to discount everything people say because it doesn't fit into your preconceived notions of how things should progress... shut your trap. If you approach someone for support and advice, and if your best reply begins with "But....," shut your trap and THINK about what they are saying. But wait! I am not saying that the would-be supporters are infallible - I am just suggesting that the mouth doesn't shoot off immediately. Think about it. Think about why you need to rebutt so quickly; think about why you are put off by it. Support should make you think, make you act. It's more than just a hug and some tears, it's something that enables you to move on, move up. Like I've said before, if you already knew it all, knew how to do it, and knew more than anyone else.... you wouldn't be here asking for support.

Don't get a lap band then! Seriously. This is hard work and you have to make the right choices every day. All you have to do is read this message board and you will see that most people with the band are not forced into eating healthy. You'll see people saying they eat the same way they did before the band. You'll see people saying that they have gained weight with the band. The band only works if you work with it (and then sometimes even then it doesn't work for everyone). Sure, I could have ice cream and alcohol and Cookies but I choose not to. I choose to eat healthy and I am not being forced. I also exercise intensely six days a week and the band is not forcing me to do that. Do some more reading on this board and get an accurate snapshot of what the band will do and won't do. The band helps but doesn't force. You'll see that what you need to force you to lose weight is you. May THAT force be with you!

Like you, I crave sweets. I could care less about soda pop, alcohol, fried foods etc. I only occasionlly have a few bites of fast food. But sweets ? Oh yeah, they've got my number, especially if its crunchy sweet. Anything chocolate/pb/nuts = kryptonite ! I find that if im full of healthy protein, I crave sweets way less. Right now im having Belvita Breakfast biscuts and a little turkey jerky, this is my usual breakfast, helps keep me from most sweets. Hope your 2 week liquid goes smoothly for you, you CAN and WILL succeed with your WLS ! Being banded was the BEST thing I did for myself, I just came back from a 2 mile run a few minutes ago . Two and a half years ago I could only walk the same course, now im ( sloooowly) running it ! How cool is that ? Good luck ! You got this !!!!

That was one of my first questions to the surgeon after op -- i like light mars bars, he said it is a calorie thing, dont waste calories on sweets - cakes, alcohol etc. You can lose faster with less calories and sugar foods are high calorie.

Hello - My closest friend has surgery about 10 years ago.Lost a lot of weight. About 4 years ago one beer became two, two became 4, and so on. Just like you are describing. Sad to say that a rough home life expanded the situation and she became a very unhappy alcoholic and still struggles. I know this is not uncommon, for all the reasons others have said. Plus I think our bodies are just wired for "addiction" sometimes. It truly sucks. And I am sorry you have to struggle with this. But, like someone else said, you have done it once. You can do it again. Don't let shame keep you from getting the support you need. Life is too good. Don't give up on having what you want.

I think for me I drink the alcohol because it was easier to do then actually having a meal. I still struggle to this day on certain meals but I have no issues having a drink to fulfill my needs. It's been 4 years since surgery and I have not had one soda because I would be miserable if I did it but I can pound down a 6 pack with no issues. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgeon mentioned this happening to some people as a caution. Many of us have addictive personalities to start with or we wouldn't have abused food to the point of being so overweight. You take away one addictive coping pathway and sometimes another one takes its place. He said the only patient he's had who regretted surgery was one who became a drug and alcohol addict who's wife then left him. I wish you all the best. You beat one problem, you can beat another! I'm just sorry you have to in the first place. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm post RNY. Am a long term low carber in ketosis for a long time. As @Matt Z and @CrankyMagpie shared, it is possible. I am definitely in ketosis. I am still low carb rather than calling me a keto girl. I do have to do low-er fat in order not to have bad reactions. If I eat too richly (too much fat/too much cheese) then I will get horribly nauseated and feel like I'm so ill. But I routinely eat between 40-55% fat on some days and am fine. You'd be surprised how little extra fat that represents, once you factor in the need to stay at your personal present "protein adequate level" and reduce your carbs to 20g net carbs (or total carbs) per day. I personally aim for a loose average of 30g net carbs per day mostly from leafy greens, low glycemic veggies, berries, seeds/nuts, eggs, dairy and eat very very few sugar alcohols. I do use some small amounts of liquid stevia drops.

Have banded three months now, and my have been told by my dr that I can have pop once in awhile. At first I didn't want to even drink any with the risk of "over doing it" now within the past two weeks I catch myself drinking a little sip here and there. How much is too much I really can't drink too much cause it is too sweet? What about alcohol? What types of drinks are ok? Not ok?

My surgeon doesn't have a problem with carbonation as our digestive system is not a closed system, the gas will escape. The problem is that it can be an uncomfortable process. For me, soda is too carbonated. I'll sip it sometimes, but usually it gives me the hiccups. yuck! Beer I am generally OK with. The thing with alcohol and non-diet soda to remember is calories. Diet soda can increase your appetite due to the chemicals in it.

Alcohol is ok in moderation after you are fully healed - you just can't do any carbonated drinks. Cheers!

@@pamelardz91 I know you are probably just curious & looking for information, and not necessarily a sh!t stirrer, but this is one topic that tends to blow up quickly & BADLY!! If you are really interested in the responses, do a search for "alcohol" and read the answers under previous threads. Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, or discourage you from asking questions, but this is one topic that seems to bring out the worst in some people. Best of luck!

I wasn't a big drinker before surgery. I really have no desire to drink. I am nine months post op and have not drunk any alcohol since before surgery. Will I drink in the future? Maybe. If so, it will be once in a blue moon and very little. Alcohol is just not a priority for me.

Question: Can we have a cocktail?

I had a glass about 3 months post op, the alochol did not affect me any differently from pre op to post op. You just need portion control and alcohol is empty calories so drink smart !!

Personal choice for me is I'm not drinking... Wasn't really much to drink a glass so not a big deal. I will say I have read many studies of high rates of addiction to alcohol with rny patients. I think it's a waste of calories and pouch space.

I am new here and glad I found this group. My husband and I drink socially. I know this surgery will save my life and I am getting sleeved in May. I am worried how this will affect my relationship with my husband? I'm ok quiting drinking. But he is not. He's up for slowing down and he supports me. Since socially drinking is a big part of our lives....what can I expect? I am working to mentally and physically prepared for no alcohol. What about him? I'm excited to uncover other activities we share together. But nervous to let this one go. Will this change our relationship? Been married for 15 years. Please please don't judge me. Sent from my GT-I9190 using the BariatricPal App

I agree with all that has been said, and would like to add.... like someone said, the sleeve will not "fix" the depression, anxiety, and the many other things that might had started the whole rollercoaster of unhealthy eating, so is super important that whatever that might had been for you, you figure it out and find other healthier ways to deal with it. After talking to many doctors and nutritionists, I have heard many times that if we do not work on that, we will just find a different unhealthy way of coping (such as alcohol). So keep in mind that the worst thing that can happen is not gaining the weight back (I know none of us want that). This is a journey in which we need to do more than just eat healthy and exercise, we need to find ways of dealing with our emotions and other things which do not include food. The sleeve allows us to concentrate in those things since we don't have to worry about all the bad food we are eating and the stress of being fat and doing the many unsuccessful diets we have all done. I go to keep reminding myself of this. Good luck!

This is it. Alcohol is mathematically poor. Calorie rich nothingness in the long run.

Addiction transfer to alcohol is scary stuff. I rarely drank pre op (maybe once every few months). When I started drinking post op everything was fine for months, until I noticed that I was drinking a lot more often, then I started having trouble stopping once I start. Then I noticed I was looking forward to drinking the same way I used to look forward to food. Now I promise myself I won't drink, but can't resist the urge and have the old pattern of guilt and regret I used to have with fast food. This all happened pretty quickly. Now I'm going to counseling and considering AA, even though I'm not a "real" alcoholic yet. I was of course warned about this pre op, but didn't think it would happen to me since I've never had a problem with alcohol or drugs, and I guess I didn't consider myself a good addict either, but I can see now that I was. Alcohol is much much worse of an addiction, I certainly wish I hadn't started drinking post op.

Is alcohol allowed? I just started my liquid diet today & forgot to ask that question.

my dr said not to drink alcohol for at least 6 months, then he said, if you choose to drink alcohol remember it's absorbed in your stomach first and since it will sit in your pouch you will get drunk a lot faster. So just be careful, and remember that it's liquid calories. I had a glass of wine about 8 weeks out.

Hi All! I had my gastric sleeve surgery on May 29, 2015 and did pretty well for the first three months. I lost 40 lbs in that three months but I got lazy with my working out and I started consuming alcohol again and of course I wasn't sticking to the low carb, high protein diet. Needless to say, I stopped loosing and over time gained back some of those 40 lbs. Now I am in desperate need to loose the weight once and for all, but I am lacking motivation. I have heard about people having "Ah-ha" moments that lead him/her to finally committing and losing the weight. I haven't had mine and I wonder if I ever will. To tell you how unmotivated I actually am, I joined Weight Watchers online in June and haven't lost a single pound. What is wrong with me?! I can tell you one major problem... I consume beer way too much and too often. My food habits aren't great but they aren't horrible either. I joined WW because I absolutely cannot handle a low carb, high protein diet long. I get so grossed out by the meat and eggs and end up starving myself, so I went with something where I can consume carbs, fruit and pretty much anything in moderation. Well... if only I had the motivation to follow it. Are there any of you out there that are in my boat that we can maybe be buddies and do this together?

Just a question to those drinking so soon after surgery - Are any of you worried about dehydration? I'm not that much of a drinker so I can't relate to the feeling of having to have a drink but it seems pretty risky since alcohol makes you urinate more than if you just drank water or another liquid. I'm not trying to be judgmental. Just curious is all.